Kalanchoe plant named Pink Glory

ABSTRACT

A Kalanchoe plant named Pink Glory particularly characterized by its pink flower color; flower diameter of up to 17 mm at maturity; flowering response of from 9 weeks in summer to 11 weeks in winter after start of short days; very floriferous, with excellent display of many flowers; good keeping quality of both flowers and foliage; excellent free branching with or without pinching; intermediate vigor; responsive to B-9 to reduce internode length and peduncle elongation, and adaptability to pot sizes of from 10 to 15 cm and larger.

The present invention relates to a new and distinctive cultivar ofKalanchoe plant, botanically known as Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Poelln.,and referred to by the cultivar name Pink Glory.

Pink Glory, identified as 618-005, is a product of a planned breedingprogram which had the objective of creating new Kalanchoe cultivars foryear-round commercial production having an earlier flowering response,good branching yet compact flowering plants, suitability for floweringin pots ranging from 10 to 15 cm, and having good flower and foliagekeeping quality.

Pink Glory was originated from a cross made by the inventor Margaret M.Fleming in a controlled breeding program in Half Moon Bay, Calif., in1984.

The female parent of Pink Glory was an unnamed seedling, identified as423-001, produced from the crossing of Royalty with Cinnabar. The maleparent was the cultivar identified as Sensation, disclosed in U.S. PlantPat. No. 4,727.

Pink Glory was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross by Margaret M. Fleming in February of 1986in a controlled environment in Soquel, Calif.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Pink Glory was accomplishedwhen vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in July1986 in a controlled environment in Soquel, Calif., by Margaret M.Fleming.

Horticultural examination of controlled flowerings of successiveplantings has shown that the unique combination of characteristics asherein disclosed for Pink Glory are firmly fixed and are retainedthrough successive generations of asexual reproduction. Pink Glory hasnot been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Thephenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such astemperature, light intensity and daylength.

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in Soquel, Calif., under greenhouse conditions which approximatethose generally used in commercial greenhouse practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Pink Glory which, in combination,distinguish this Kalanchoe as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Clear pink flower color.

2. Flower diameter of 15 to 17 mm at maturity.

3. Flowering response of from an early 9 weeks in summer to 11 weeks inwinter after start of short days.

4. Very floriferous, with excellent display of many flowers.

5. Excellent keeping quality of both flowers and foliage, with eachfloret lasting more than 2 weeks under normal conditions of finishingand holding.

6. Branches freely with or without pinching.

7. Intermediate vigor.

8. Good responsiveness to B-9 to reduce internode length and peduncleelongation.

9. Proper scheduling makes this new cultivar suitable for production in10 cm to 15 cm and larger pots.

The accompanying colored photographic drawings show typicalinflorescence and leaf characteristics of Pink Glory, with colors beingas nearly true as possible with illustrations of this type.

Sheet 1 is a color photograph of Pink Glory grown as a non-pinchedflowering Kalanchoe in a 10 cm pot.

Sheet 2 is a black and white photograph showing the leaves of Pink Gloryat three stages of development (mature, intermediate and immature).

Of the commercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similar toPink Glory in flower size, color and response is the cultivar identifiedas Bingo, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,876. However, Pink Glory ismore vigorous than Bingo and has not exhibited the fasciated stemscommon in Bingo. The cultivar identified as Satisfaction, disclosed inU.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,894, is another commercial cultivar that may becompared to Pink Glory. Pink Glory has an earlier flowering response toshort days than Satisfaction, and has larger individual flowers andtotal display. In addition, Pink Glory does not exhibit night closing offlowers, while night closing of the flowers of Satisfaction is a realdisadvantage.

In comparison to the male parent Sensation, the flowers of Pink Gloryare a clear pink, compared with the rose pink flower color of Sensation.In addition, Pink Glory flowers earlier, with Sensation blooming inapproximately 11 weeks in summer and 12 or 13 weeks in winter. PinkGlory is medium in size with a fast growth rate, opposed to the morecompact size of Sensation and a slower growth rate. Although the foliageof Pink Glory is larger than the foliage of Sensation, both are verydurable.

As above noted, the female parent of Pink Glory is an unknown seedling423-001, whose parents are Royalty and Cinnabar. When compared toRoyalty, the flowers of Pink Glory are a more clear pink, its responseis earlier (response of Royalty is 10-12 weeks), it has a larger flowerdiameter (flower diameter of Royalty is 12-15 mm.), it is less compactand grows faster, and is highly susceptible to foliar diseases. Incomparison to Cinnabar, the flowers are a completely different color,with the flowers of Cinnabar being a bright red or red/orange. Inaddition, the foliage of Pink Glory is a darker green than the foliageof Cinnabar, and somewhat more durable.

In the following description color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determined onplant material grown as a non-pinched pot plant in a 10 cm. pot inSoquel, Calif., on Oct. 23, 1988.

Classification:

Botanical.--Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Poelln. cv. Pink Glory.

Commercial.--Flowering pot Kalanchoe.

Parentage:

Female parent.--An unnamed seedling (423-001).

Male parent.--Sensation; U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,727.

Propagation:

(A) Type cutting.--Short tip cutting, with stems up to 2 cm.

(B) Time to root.--10 days at 21° C. in summer; 14 days at 21° C. inwinter.

(C) Rooting habit.--Many very fine roots, fibrous.

Plant description:

(A) Form.--Intermediate, upright growth. Growing and schedulingpractices can produce a small plant in a 10 cm pot up to a larger plantin a 15 cm and larger pot.

(B) Habit of growth.--Rate of growth moderate for this type of plant.Generally, shoots are formed at every node, with internodes being 12-25mm. for a vegetative natural plant; height of plant above 10 cm. pot,approximately 25-25 cm. based on 2 to 3 applications of 3500 ppm B-9 SPgrowth regulator.

(C) Foliage description.--Leaves simple, opposite, slightly lobed. 1.Size: Average full grown leaf in a 10 cm flowering pot is 110 mm long×95mm wide. 2. Shape: Ovate to elliptic, apex obtuse, base attenuate. 3.Texture: Glabrous, coriaceous, succulent. 4. Margin: Sinuate to crenate.5. Color (mature foliage): Upper surface 147A; under surface 147B. Undercertain conditions tips and margins of mature foliage on both upper andunder surface are slightly streaked with 183A to 183C. 6. Durability:Excellent; no degradation observed even on the lower foliage of plantsretained for months beyond normal life expectancy. 7. Foliar diseases:Resistant or immune to Powdery Mildew. Chlorosis, necrotic spots, tipdie-back, stem rot and root rot have not been observed.

Flowering description:

(A) Flowering habit.--Inflorescence of each shoot is formed bydichotomous branching, starting with opening of terminal flower of mainaxis, followed by terminal flowers of the side branches, continuing withsubsequent development of branches in the inflorescence. Opening of newbuds (11-16 mm. in length) will continue for two months or more.Individual flowers last two weeks or more after opening. No perceivedfragrance.

(B) Flowering response.--Flowering time under controlled daylength afterstart of short days is 9 weeks in summer to 11 weeks in winter.

(C) Flowers borne.--Compound dichasial cymes; peduncle length 5-13 cm.,diameter 408 mm; pedicel length 5-7 mm, diameter greater than 1 mm.

(D) Quantity of flowers.--Very floriferous; floret count 80-100 perprimary inflorescence, 400-500 total per 10 cm. pot plant, commercialculture.

(E) Petals.--1. Shape: Slightly pointed to almost round. 2. Color: Uppersurface: 66C, maturing to 66D. Under surface: 51C to 51D, slightlystreaked with 66D. 3. Number of petals: 4, united in corolla. 4. Flowerdiameter: 15 to 17 mm at maturity.

(F) Reproductive organs.--1. Stamens: 8 in number. a. Anther shape:Flat, elliptical, color yellow. b. Filament color: Light green. c.Pollen color: Yellow. 2. Pistils: a. Stigma shape: Flat, crystalline,color greenish white. b. Style color: Light green. c. Ovaries: 4-celled,color light green.

(G) Flower diseases.--None noted to date; resistant to Botrytis; noproblems with color breaking or excess fading.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Kalanchoe plant named Pink Glory, asdescribed and illustrated.